Log gripping calk plate



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kc. l.. Bom/ER ULMD LOG GRIPPI'NG CALK PLATE Filed Dec. 6; 1955 Patented June 23, 1936 l UNITED STATES ViATEiNl OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention'relates to log gripping calk plates, and more particularly to the combination of a calk plate xed permanently to the shank or under-arch of a shoe sole. The plate and its appended calks are either integrally or ilxedly connected together thus forming a rigid unit. When same is secured to the shoe sole shank, by means of screws, rivets or the like, a permanent, inexible and rigid connection is provided which does not give when stepping on a log or yield when lifting the foot from a log.

Another important feature of the invention consists in terminating the points of the calks, or other sharp projections, short ofV a plane dened by the heel and sole of the shoe to which the device is secured. Thus, in Fig. l of the drawing, it is seen that the points of the calks do not touch the floor and therefore the shoes need not be removed upon entering the house as all danger of marring the oor is removed.

It will also be noted that the calks are made in graduated lengths, the longer ones being closest to the shoe heel and the shorter ones being remote from the heel. This arrangement insures Contact of all the calk points with a log and also makes it easier. to extract the calks from the log upon lifting the foot. In lifting the foot, it is rst bent forward thus raising the heel and creating a leverage, and the greater leverage is obviously exerted on the long calks so that the short calks, which have less grip on the log, are easily extracted upon lifting the foot.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a shoe and showing the calk plate permanently secured to the shank or under-arch of its sole; Fig. 2 is a detail bottom plan View of the calk plate; Fig. 3 is a, corresponding view of a plate showing a modified form of gripping elements in the shape of sharp ridged teeth; and Fig. 4 is a view in longitudinal section taken on a broken line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring in detail to the drawing wherein like reference numerals designate like parts in the several views, and referring particularly to Fig. 1, the numeral 5 indicates an ordinary shoe having the usual heel 6, a sole tread 1, and a shank or under-arch sole portion 8 connecting the sole tread and the heel and forming a space El therebetween, assuming that the line I0 designates the floor surface.

My invention consists essentially of a calk plate Il which is slightly curved or warped, with its convex surface on the upper side, to conform with the downwardly curved surface of the shank 8. Said plate is provided with a screw or other hole i2 in each of its four corners, and when placed against the shank with its rear edge bearing against the heel 6, it is permanently secured to the shank by screws I3 or other fastenings passing through said holes as clearly shown in 5 dotted lines in Fig. l. It will thus be seen that the combination is formed by permanently and rigidly securing the plate directly to the shank portion of the shoe sole.

The plate Il has a plurality of calks I4 inte- 10 gral with or rigidly fixed thereto in staggered relation and depending from its lower or concave surface. As clearly shown in Fig. 1, the points of these calks all terminate short of the oor I0, and this feature forms one of the most important 1,5 points of the invention. These calks are shown in graduated lengths, the longest being nearest the heel 6 and the shortest being nearest the sole tread 1, which is also an important feature of the invention. It will however be understood 20 that the lengths of the calks need not be in exact uniform graduated relation, as some of the intermediate ones may be shorter than shown, although it is important that the rear ones should be long and the forward ones should be short. 25 As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, these calks may take the form of sharp ridged teeth I5 extending across the plate, or any other desirable and suitable form of sharp studs, prongs or nails, it being understood that the Lnvention is not limited in 30 this respect.

It is well known by those familiar with the art that calk nails, when individually driven directly into a shoe sole, will not hold in ninety-five percent of cases for the reason that the leather, par- 35 ticularly when wet and soggy, loses its grip upon the calks. By rigidly or integrally connecting the calks to a metal plate, and permanently securing the plate to the shank of the shoe sole by means 0f screws, rivets or the like, an inflexible con- 40 nection, combination and arrangement is provided which is very necessary in log gripping and which does not yield or give when Walking upon logs.

When walking upon logs, it is merely necessary to turn the foot outward slightly so that the calks will engage and penetrate the logs. As hereinbefore explained, the foot is rst bent forward in taking a step which raises the heel and releases the long calks adjacent thereto, and whereby the short calks are readily released upon lifting the foot. And by reason of the calks all terminating above or short of the alignment of the sole tread and heel bottom, the shoes may 55 be worn indoors without any danger of damage to the floors.

While I am aware that plates having calks projecting below the sole and heel have heretofore been connected to the shoe itself by means of straps, springs and the like for use in walking upon ice and other slippery surfaces, I am not aware that a plate having calks terminating above the sole tread and heel and made in graduated lengths has ever been permanently and rigidly connected directly to the shank portion of a shoe sole for log gripping only. It will now be apparent that I have provided a device that will be useful to all persons engaged in any occupation or pastime which requires them to Walk upon logs. Y

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure'by Letters Patent of the United States isz- 1. The combination with a shoe sole tread, heel, and shank portion connecting the heel and sole tread, of a log gripping plate flxedly secured to and covering the entire shank portion and confined to said shank portion, depending sharp pointed studs rigidly connected to and covering the entire plate, the points of the studs terminating short of a plane dened by the sole tread and heel bottom, and said studs graduated in length with the shortest ones disposed closest to the sole tread.

2. The combination with a shoe sole tread, heel, and shank portion, of a log gripping plate rigidly flxed to covering and confined to said shank, sharp pointed studs integral with or rigidly fixed to the plate and depending therefrom, said studs covering the entire plate and varying in length with the longest disposed closest to the heel and the shortest disposed closest to the sole tread, and the points of the studs terminating short of the plane defined by the sole and heel.

CHARLES L. BOWER. 

